Automatic battery grid casting and trimming machine



'May 2, 1939.

G. A. DONATH AUTOMATIC BATTERY GRID CASTING AND TRTMMTNG MACHINE Filed April 5, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 2, 1939. G. A. DONATH AUTOMATIC BATTERY GRID CASTING AND TRIMMING MACHINE 's Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5, 1937 Av m r May' Z, i939.

G. A. DONATH AUTOMATIC BATTERY GRID CASTING AND TRIMMING MACHINE Filed April 5, 19:? 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented. May 2, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFlCE AUTOMATIC BATTERY GRID oAs'rme AND TRIMMING MACHINE George A. Donath, Los Angeles, Calif. Application April 5, 1937, Serial No. 135,125

Claims.

' An object of the invention is to provide a self contained machine power driven to greatly facilitate quantity production of lead grids for storage batteries, or other desired fiat-form products, or other pieces of various structural form. An object is to produce finished, that is, trimmed grids ready for application of the plastic-oxide, with the minimum of hand labor in the making.

A further object is to provide a simple, compact, practical, low-cost, substantial and reliable power machine for economical production costs. Another object is to provide a machine which will enable uninterrupted operation for the repeated, rapid use of a mold mechanism for successive reception of molten charges of lead, and the efiective and highly satisfactory casting of. each charge to form a grid which is singularly perfect in structure, that is, free from objectional defects in these grill or lattice form of plates;

Also an object is to provide, in one machine,

for the step of performing such trimming of the castings as may be needed as they issue from the mold. A purpose is to provide an automaticaction mold; that is, a mold comprising coordinate sections having relationalmovement and means to actuate the same for casting and discharge sequences.

Another purpose is to provide for the automatic pumping of the molten lead to the mold matrix chamber.. The invention'consists of certain advancements in this art as set forth in the ensuing disclosure and having, with the above, additional objects, and advantages, as-hereinafter' developed, and whose construction, combination and details of means, and the manner of operation, and the steps of the process, will'be made manifest in the description of the annexed illustrative apparatus;

it being understood that modifications, variations and adaptations may be resorted to within the scope, principle and spirit of the invention-as it is more directly claimed hereinbelow.

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a fragment of a grilled grid. Fig. .2 is a sectional elevation of the machine; transversely on an obllque plane about parallel to and in front of trimming mechanism, and the trimmi-ng'mechanism being in open position. showing the mold and the trimming die open.

Fig, 3 is a broken-away side elevation;

Fig. 4 is a detail of the cast ejecting hammer. Fig.5 is a plan of the open mold structure. Fig. 6 is a perspective of a fragment of the grid control and transfer means. Fig. 7 is a sectional plan of a fragment of the closed mold sections and 5 ejector means. Fig. 8 is a face view of the movable section to' show its matrix and Fig. 9 is a fullsize section of a fragment of the same to show the matrix recess.

. A pair of mold blocks or sections 2 and 3, Fig. 10 5, are provided with plane meeting faces 4 and 5 in each of which is provided a shallow recess Bl forming a halfchamber which is completed when the sections 23 are closed face to face. It is understood thatthese sections are readily interl5 changeable in the machine forcasting various forms of products; especially flat pieces. The mold here is designed for grid casts, Fig. 1, which are quite thin and have vertical sidebars ill with lateral ears II at the top corners; each cast here 0 includinga pair of grids G connected by central along the bottom channel IS in which the bottom bar ll of the grid cast is molded along the top of the foot vent 9, this being somewhat thinner than the bar [1, Fig. 1. Along the sprue mouth 8 is a series of small fillers l9 about which the dead-head 20 of the cast G will cling to insure .that the cast will come away from the stationary or base mold part 2; the features IE-lil being omitted therefrom.

Each mold'section face is milled or cut outas desired to provide interstices 2|, Fig.9, for crossed 40 lattice filaments 22 of the grid G;

The outermost side bars l0. of a twin-grid cast are true-finished in the mold'but the top deadhead 20 is cut off along the line T-'-T to form a finished top bar 23, Fig. 2, and the vent waste W is cut off along the line BB, Fig. ,1, to trim the bottom bar ll, parallel with the top bar 23. No other trimming is required.

, The section 2 of the mold is movably mounted in vertical position in a transverse wall 25 of a 5 face of a universal bar 28 which seats on expansion springs 28 mounted on screw posts 38 in the wall 28. These springs form a yieldable support for the bar 28 and the push pins 21 which press the section 2 out to the normal casting plane, as determined by the stop horns 28. The section 2 works between fixed, side guide ribs 25 of the wall 25. The face 4 of the section 2 has accurate register with its cooperative section 3 by means of dowel pins 3| and their holes 32 in mold part 3.

Mold section.3 is bolted at 33 in side pillars 34 which are cross-connected, as by a rod 85, and have parallel foot pieces 38 provided with pairs of rollers 31 at right angles to the pillars. This assembly constitutes a mold carriage which is slidable, to and from the base mold section 2, in frame runways which have horizontal portions 38 to bring the carriage mold 3 vertically true with the base mold 2 for casting function, and have upwardly inclined rear portions 38 whereby to tilt the matrix face of the section 3 outwardly at the bottom, Fig. 3, to facilitate shedding of the adhering cast down onto a coordinate transfer means, later described.

) The carriage 38 is reciprocated by suitable means shown here as including a pair of links 48 connected at 4| thereto and at 42 to the upper ends of rocker levers 43 pivoted at 44 on opposite, side frame parts 45, Fig. 2. The lower ends of the levers 43 have cam rollers 48 engaged, controlled and operated by suitable cams 41, a right and a left of which are fixed on a cam shaft 48. The cams 41 function to reciprocate the carriage mold inward to close the mold parts,then dwell while molten metal is'poured into the matrix and for a cooling period, and then to retract the mold block 3 to the open inclined position Fig. 3, for a period long enough for its cast to be ejected (as later described) all in one turn of the cam shaft '48, which is continuously turning at a desired speed for-a process cycle.

The shaft 48 is motivated as by a suitable reduction connection 58 from a power driven shaft 5|.

It will be seen that when the carriage block 3 is advanced into plane against the base mold 2 the latter block will compensate yieldably on its springs 28 and the mold faces 4.5 will accurately meet as the sections 2--3 dowel together.

Just as the mold section 3 is moved outward to the limit with the hardened cast adhering to its matrix face an ejector hammer 52 is tripped by a spur 53, Fig. 4, which is fixed to a shaft 54 on which the hammer is loosely pivoted. As the hammer falls freely it impinges against the back of an ejector plate 55 having upper and lower sets of ejector pins 58 slidably passing through the section 3 at such positions as to hit spots l5,

on the grid, formed at the sockets l5, Fig. 8, in the matrix, and at 28 Fig. l, in the dead-head 28. Thus the cast is dislodged and falls onto and between a pair of hooks 58 fixed at the sides of a receiver leaf 58 which ishinged at its upper end on a cross-bar 88 which is mounted in the upper ends of a pair of armsv 8| which are fixed on the shaft 54 so that this is oscillated, just as the arms 8| are moved up to position under the mold 3,

. Fig. 3, to place the leaf. hooks 88 under the open mold 3 to receive the ejected cast.

The width of the said cast is such that it will hang on the hooks 58, and between them, whilev the leaf 58 and arms 8| are being lowered by action of their control cam 82, Fig. v2. This cam is fixed on shaft 48 and engages a roller 83 on a lever 84 which is pivoted on one end at 85; its swinging end being connected at 88 to an upleaf. Cam 82 now acts to depress the connected levers 84--8| and the hooks 58 move down between the side flanges ll of the trough l8 and the lugs ll of the grid aredeposited on the said flanges in a position'just in front of a pair of upright transfer arms I2 fixed on a rock shaft 13 mounted in the main frame, Fig. 3. As soon I as the grid hooks rest on the trough flanges N the arms 12 are pulled forward by a spring 14 connected to a lever 15 of shaft 13, against a cam 18 supporting a roller 18, Fig. 2, carried by a thrust link I8 connected to one of the levers l2. Cam"|8 is contoured to time the motion of the pusher arms 12 so as to advance the interposed grid cast along the trough 18 down into a now open trimming mechanism arranged at the discharge, lower end of the transfer trough.

The trimming means includes a transverse, statlonary platen 88 mounted on and between the frame sides 45 in an inclined position from the foot of the trough and presenting a plane, top face 8| which has longitudinal, side die inserts 82 spaced a. distance from top corner to bottom corner to fix the cut width of a grid cast between lines T-T and B-B.,

As a castgrid is pushed from the trough 18 the grid falls onto the platen face 8| and slides against the lug stopping posts 83, Fig. 2, which- Cooperative with the fixed'platen 88 is a.

This includes a shearing head and cast fiattener. a transverse slide body 8| having sliding support on columns 82 preferably fixed to the ends of the platen block 88; this assembly being removably bolted at 83 to the frame parts 45, whereby to provide for ready interchange of this mechanism as a. unit, for variation of machine products. The

body 8|.is attached at its ends to connecting rods 84 of eccentrics'85 fixed to the camshaft 48.

When the grid cast has lodged on the platen fposts 83 the trimming head or body 8| moves down and thrusts a presser plate 88 down onto the presented grid-cast on face 8| and the body 8| continues its down stroke so as to move its attached punch or shearing strips 81 against the grid along lines T-Tand B-B to shear oif the excess dead-head 28 and the vent plug W along .the fixed'die bars 82. The presser plate 88 has fixed bolts 88 slidable' in holes therefor in the slide body 8| and is yieldably out-thrust by suitable springs 88. The presser plate 88 is apertured at I88 for clearance of the adjacent lug receiving posts 88 of the platen. The closed presser plate 88 flattens the interposed grid on the platen 88 and the grid is trimmed at the same time. The pusher or transfer arms 12 are now moved out to the far end of the trough 18 for another grid cast.

Meanwhile the lug stops 83 of the platen are retracted by their springs 84 as the cams- 88 permit so that when the trimming head is'moved out by its eccentrics 85 the flattened and trimmed 40 u swing the arms II2 up from end rests II 6 in the .plate I04 of the frame and connected to the shaft 'I3,'Fig. 3, as by arms 15.

The hammer 52 is restored to a ready position -by means of a Jack post I05, pivotally connected at I 06 to the trimmer body 91, when the latter moves outward. The jack I05 is pulled by a spring I 01 against the shaft 54 so as to pass under a strike pin I08 fixed in the hub of the hammer 52 on the shaft 54, Fig. 4. -While the hammer is elevated by the upwardly moved jack I05 the rock shaft 54 is turned (note arrow, Fig. 4) by theupwardly moving transfer levers GI so that the trip spur fixed to the shaft 54 will engage the said Jack I05 and push it from the strike pin I08 and allow the hammer to fall in the regular cycle.

sequence.

Thus, the casting step, the transferring, the platen feeding, the flattening and trimming, the

platen clearing, and the racking functions are all closely and correctly timed by control means all of which are fixed on the single, driven cam shaft 48.

While the molten metal may be poured into the sprue mouth 8 'of the closed mold by hand or other ladle contrivance, means are here shown for automatically serving the melt to the mold. An elongated goose-neck I I0.dips at one end into. a conventional, lead melting potP and has a pivot in the form of a cross-bar I I I mounted in the swinging ends of a pair of arms I I2 which are fixed on a hollow shaft II3, Fig. 3, journaled in side bearings I I4 .fixed to the frame brackets 25.

I'he shaft II3 has a hand lever I I5 fixed to one end and by which it may be rocked at will to bearing II4, whereby to lift the goose-neck end with its associated parts, from the melt in the pot so that they may not freeze as the melt cools, after, a desired run of the machine. A suitable form of bolt II I may serve to fasten the lifting arms M2 to a bearing I I4 during working periods of the casting machine. When the arms II2 are turned up to elevate the goose-neck IIO the latter a 1 ii rest on buttress prongs II8 for that purpose ml the ends of the arms. At pivot vIII the goose-neck bends forwardly over the levers or arms H2 and then inclines in the form of a discharge spout H0 which is widened enough to about equal the length of the mold mouth 8, Fig. 5. The spout has a clean-out lid IIll The hollow shaft H3 is disposed just belowthe spout H0 and is. provided with gas jet holes whereby to serve as a gas bumer to heat the spout.

The potend of the goose-neck IIO communidates with a'pump cylinder I20 having inlet holes I2I for the hot melt and a piston I22 reciprocates in the cylinder to force the melt up the gooseneck to be discharged into the closed mold. 'A check valve I23 prevents the resurge ofthe. melt as the piston'moves on the suction stroke. Intermittent action of the piston iseflected automatically by a sectional piston rod I24 pivotally connected to the piston I22 and jointed at I25 to the swinging end ofa link I26 fulcrummed at its lower end on the bend of 'the goose-neck. The forward end of the rod I24 inclinesdown toward the carriage and said trimming means.

most portion of the opening action of the mold carrier the bar I30 strikes the ear I28 of the rod I 24 and pulls it over in a direction to draw the pump piston up for intake of melt into the cylinder I2I. As the carrier starts its closing movement toward mold section 2 the bar I30 plays along the ear space without action on the rod I24, but as the mold block -3 comes into engagement with and represses theyieldable section 2 the bar I30 strikes the rod ear I21 and thus moves the piston I22 down and forces a load of melt up the goose-neck and displaces a hot charge from the spout 0' into the now closed mold. I On the next out-shift of the mold carrier 36 the piston rod is retracted for a new cycle.

Push-back rods 56' are slidable in the section 3 and engage the near face of the mold 2 as the section 3 is moved to closed position. At this time the outer ends of the rods 56* engage and push the ejector plate outward to position shown in Fig. 5, ready for the hammer blow.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine of the class described including a mold with laterally separable sections to form a vertical discharge space between coacting matrix faces of the sections, one of the sections 1 forming a cast carrier separating the cast from the other section, means including a carriage and a cam tracktherefor for shifting the carrier section in upright position to a cast shedding position with the cast slightly tilted from the vertical at the discharge space, a receiver movable in upright position into the discharge space between the opened sections, means for ejecting the upright cast from the carrier so that it will fall onto the interposed receiver, a transfer mechanism to which the receiver passes the cast, and a cast'trimming means having an inclined platen ontowhich the saidmechanism catapults the casts successively and fromwhich the trimmed grid gravitationally discharge, a mainshaft, and mechanism driven thereby for automatically actuating and synchronizing the action of said 2. An automatic grid making machine including. a basal mold section, and a movable mold section, a carriage to which the movable section "is fixed with its matrix face "vertical; cam tracks on which the carriage has slidable, guided movement to tilt the face of the movable section downface ,of the opened mold section, and means for automatically passing a casting from the said section in the same generally inclined position to the platen face. e

3. An automatic grid casting and trimming machine having, in combination, relatively horizontally movable mutual mold sections, means for closing and opening the relation of the sections, means for ejecting the cast from the mold section to which it adheres, a receiver below the mold sections and moveable into upright position between the same when open, a means mechanically synchronized with the mold section movement for trimming the castings in succession, a

, livered by the transfer means; all combined in conveyor below .the receiver to transfer casts therefrom to the trimmer and to which trimmer theyv gravitate from the conveyor.

4. A casting machine having, in combination, molding means, means for opening one section of the mold to an upright position from a complementary, basal section of the mold, a device to eject a cast from the open mold section, a receiver onto which an ejected cast gravitates in upright position, transfer means for advancing casts from the receiver, and means mechanically combined and synchronized with the mold and onto which the casts are gravitated by said mechanism for trimming the casts in succession.

5. A casting machine having, in combination,

train and having synchronized motions.

6. A grid casting machine having, in combination, upright cooperative mold sections having matrix faces meeting in a vertical plane, one

section having means to cause adherence of the cooled cast thereto, means for opening the relation of the sections by bodily laterally shifting the latter section apart fromthe other to an upright position with its mold face tilted slightly downward, means for ejecting the cast from the section to which it adheres, means movable 'into; upright position adjacent to the tilted face of the 1 cast. carrying section for receiving the ejected casts, a transfer device to which the cast is delivered by the receiver, and means for trimming each cast and to which theorists are delivered by said device, and a drive mechanism connecting and coordinating the action of the said mold operating means and the trimming means for complete automatic operation of the machine.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 6; said section operating means including a carriage and a cam track on which it is reciprocative and having a portion to tilt the carriage as it opens the mold section, and said trimming means having an inclined b'ed anda retractive cast support alined with, and to receive and hold casts from, the transfer means.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 6, and in-. cluding a main shaft, and a mechanism actuated thereby for automatically operating the section operating means and the trimming means in synchronism; said section operating means including a carriage and a cam track to tilt it as the mold section is opened.

9. A grid casting machine having, in combination, cooperative upright mold sections having matrix faces meeting in a vertical plane, one section being movable bodily laterally from the other to an open position with its matrix face slightly inclined downward and'having means to cause adherence of the cooled east, coast receiver mov-,

able into upright position between the upright open sections, an ejector mounted on said movable section, and means to actuate said ejector to discharge the cast in a nearly vertical position onto the receiver while the section is in open position, and a carriage carrying the movable section,

and a cam track on which the carriage is reciprocated and by which its mold is tilted as to the opposite section and a transfer device cooperative with the receiver, and an alined trimming means to which the casts are advanced by said device, and mechanism including a main shaft for synchronizing and automatically actuating the-trimming means and the movable mold section.

10. A casting machine having a pair of vertical mold sections with co-extensive meeting faces mutually forming a mold chamber substantially on a vertical plane, means for bodily laterally moving oneof the sections in an upright position to an open, downwardly facing, slight inclination, a receiver having an oscillative devicewith grid receiving hooks movableupwardly to receiving position between the open sections, means for ejecting a cast adhering to theoutmoved section to pass to the receiver hooks in upright position, a trimming means alined with the receiver for successive casts from the mold,

a trough in which the receiver slides, and means for transferring the casts along the trough from the receiver to the trimming means, and mechanism operatively combined with the several means for synchronously motivating the same for automatic molding and trimming operation.

GEORGE A. DONATE. 

